Source: Reuters
NEW DELHI: The Indian government on Friday gave initial approval for the purchase of 15 maritime patrol aircraft from Airbus and six air-refuel aircraft, officials said.
The defence acquisition council, the top Defence Ministry body for arms acquisition, approved projects worth 845.6 billion rupees ($10.19 billion) for the country’s armed forces and coast guard, the government said in a statement.
Initial approval, called Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), was given for Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance and Multi-Mission Aircraft for the navy and the coast guard.
The statement did not give further details but two defence officials aware of the matter confirmed that it referred to the maritime surveillance version of the C-295 aircraft made by Airbus, and they will be manufactured in Spain and in India.
The defence acquisition council also approved purchase of flight refueller aircraft for “enhancing the operational capabilities and reach” of the air force, the statement said.
A military official said that the air force will go for a multi-vendor bid to buy six of these.
The three officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity since they were not authorised to comment on the subject, did not provide any cost breakdown for the two projects.
A spokesperson for Airbus did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Friday’s approvals also included anti-tank drones for the army and heavy weight torpedoes for naval submarines.
Each of these projects will go through bidding processes or manufacturer negotiations before they are finally approved by the country’s cabinet for purchase.
